Octopus ball retrieval system and method

ABSTRACT

An automated tennis ball collector which includes a chassis, a drive train, an energy source, a plurality of wheels, and at least one motor. The automated tennis ball collector is useful for collecting scattered tennis balls after a game or practice without the need to bend and pick them up by hand.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/329,194 filed Apr. 28, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of ball retrieval devices of existing art and more specifically relates to machines used to collect tennis balls.

RELATED ART

During long tennis game sessions, many players may experience pain in their extremities especially in the legs which makes collecting loose tennis balls after the game troublesome. While practicing at a tennis court balls are often scattered around all areas of the court. When the practice is over and it's time to collect the loose balls, many players experience fatigue and it becomes painful to bend over repeatedly to collect these balls. The game of tennis is not only played by young individuals, it is often used as a means of exercise for seniors to remain healthy as well. The task of continuously bending down to collect loose balls after a rigorous exercise routine may not be advisable for the young and the elderly. Thus, a need exists for a remote device which may aid in collecting scattered tennis balls.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,396 to Charles J. Mailman relates to a tennis ball vacuum collector. The described tennis ball vacuum collector includes a device for quickly picking up numerous tennis balls on a tennis court having a vacuum unit with angled collection members to funnel tennis balls into a location where suction from the vacuum unit draws the balls through tubing and a port into a basket within a chamber of the vacuum unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the machines used to collect tennis balls art, the present disclosure provides a novel octopus ball retrieval system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an octopus ball retrieval system efficient for use.

An automated tennis ball collector is disclosed herein. The automated tennis ball collector includes a chassis, a drive train, an energy source, a plurality of wheels, and at least one motor. The drive may be fixably coupled to inner volume of the chassis in such a way so the energy source, the plurality of wheels, and the at least one motor of the drive train allow the chassis to move freely around the court. A ball collector includes a ball receiver, a vacuum (means), a ball channel, and a ball retainer. The ball collector may be mounted to the forward outer surface of the chassis for allowing balls to travel into the ball receiver, which activates the vacuum to suck the balls into and through the ball channel to the ball retainer.

A device controller includes a memory, a processor, a communication network, and a wireless transceiver. The device controller may be used for controlling the automated tennis ball collector by transmitting movement commands to the drive train, which drives the automated tennis ball collector into a ball making direct contact with the ball, which then in turn activates the ball collector. The automated tennis ball collector system may be remote-controlled, preferably includes an LED spotlight coupled to the chassis, and may further include a carry handle configured to carry the automated tennis ball collector. The wireless transceiver may be configured with BLUETOOTH® technology, and alternately configured with Wi-Fi connectability.

The automated tennis ball collector may be configured to operate using a battery pack with a lithium ion rechargeable battery. The lithium ion rechargeable battery may be recharged with a solar panel array coupled to the outer surface of the chassis. The wireless transceiver may be configured to receive movement commands via a handheld smart phone. The chassis may be designed with a sensor array which is configured to automatically detect a downed ball for collection, and automatically instruct the drive train to move in the direction of the downed ball.

The sensor array may be further configured to automatically activate the vacuum when the downed ball is in range of the ball collector to retrieve and transfer the downed ball to the ball retainer. The automated tennis ball collector may have a plurality of wheels which may include at least two wheels. The ball retainer may be configured to be removably coupled to the automated tennis ball collector to allow removal of the ball retainer. The automated tennis ball collector may include a recharge station structured and arranged to recharge the automated tennis ball collector during lowlight and night conditions.

According to another embodiment, a method of use for an automated tennis ball collector system is also disclosed herein. The method of use for an automated tennis ball collector system includes placing the automated tennis ball collector system on the ground, a powering on the automated tennis ball collector system, using the remote control for controlling the automated tennis ball collector system, collecting the downed balls once gameplay is complete, storing the balls in the ball retainer, removing the ball retainer to retrieve the collected balls, and storing the automated tennis ball collector system.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an octopus ball retrieval system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automated tennis ball collector during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automated tennis ball collector of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the automated tennis ball collector of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the automated tennis ball collector of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the automated tennis ball collector of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use automated tennis ball collector, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a machine used to collect tennis balls and more particularly to an octopus ball retrieval system as used to improve the collection of scattered tennis balls after a game or practice without the need to bend and pick them up by hand.

Generally, a remote-controlled machine is disclosed which may be used for retrieving tennis balls, which are randomly scattered throughout the court once a tennis game or practice has been completed. The octopus may aid those who after a rigorous game, find it hard to continuously bend over and pick up the scattered tennis balls. The octopus may be remote-controlled with a handheld remote capable of allowing a tired player to collect the balls while sitting down. The player may use the remote to direct the machine to gather the balls around the court. The octopus may use a vacuum to suck the ball up and into a ball storage container. The octopus may be compact with a collapsible ball storage basket for easy transport. The octopus may use a light on the front and back to allow for night-time use. The octopus may have a handle to allow easy carrying from a vehicle to the court or where needed.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an automated tennis ball collector system 100.

FIGS. 1-4 show an automated tennis ball collector system 100 during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may be beneficial for use by a user 40 to collect scattered tennis balls 5 after a game or practice without the need to bend and pick them up by hand. As illustrated, the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may include a chassis 110, a drive train 130, an energy source 140, a plurality of wheels 160, and at least one motor 170.

According to one embodiment, the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may further include a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the automated tennis ball collector system 100 such that the automated tennis ball collector system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

FIG. 2 shows the automated tennis ball collector system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may include a chassis 112, a drive train 130, an energy source 140, a plurality of wheels 160, and at least one motor 170. The chassis 110 may include a ball collector 120 including a ball receiver 122, a vacuum 130, a ball channel 124, and a ball retainer 126. The ball collector 120 may be mounted to the forward outer surface of the chassis 112 for allowing balls 5 to travel into the ball receiver 122, which activates the vacuum 132 to suck the balls 5 into and through the ball channel 124 to the ball retainer 126. The ball retainer 126 may be configured to be removably coupled to the automated tennis ball collector system 100 to allow removal of the ball retainer 126. The automated tennis ball collector system 100 may also include a carry handle 134 configured to suspend the automated tennis ball collector system 100 by the carry handle 134, and the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may further include an LED spotlight 136 coupled to the chassis 110.

The chassis 110 may even further be designed with a sensor array 136 which may be configured to automatically detect a downed ball 5 for collection. The sensor array 136 may be configured to automatically instruct the drive train 130 to move in the direction of the downed ball 5. The sensor array 136 may further be configured to automatically activate the vacuum 132 when the downed ball 5 is in range of the ball collector 120 to retrieve and transfer the downed ball 5 to the ball retainer 126.

The drive train 130 drive may be fixably coupled to inner volume of the chassis 110 in such a way so the energy source 140, the plurality of wheels 160, and the at least one motor 170 of the drive train 130 allow the chassis 110 to move freely around the court. The energy source may be configured to operate using a battery pack 142, which may be designed using a lithium ion rechargeable battery 144. The lithium ion rechargeable battery 144 may be recharged with a solar panel array 146 coupled to the outer surface of the chassis 110. A recharge station 148 may be configured to recharge the automated tennis ball collector system 100 during lowlight and night conditions. The plurality of wheels 160 for the automated tennis ball collector system 100 may be designed to use at least two wheels, and alternately more if needed for rough terrain purposes.

A device controller 150 may also be included in the automated tennis ball collector system 100. The device controller 150 may include a memory 152, a processor 154, a communication network 156, and a wireless transceiver 158. The wireless transceiver 158 may be configured with Wi-Fi connectability, and designed to receive movement commands via a handheld smart phone. The device controller 150 may be used for controlling the automated tennis ball collector system 100 by transmitting movement commands to the drive train 130, which drives the automated tennis ball collector system 100 into a ball 5 making direct contact with the ball 5, which then activates the ball receiver 122, and in doing so the vacuum 132 also activates pulling the balls 5 into and through the ball channel 124 to the ball retainer 126. The device controller may also be configured to allow the automated tennis ball collector system 100 to be remotely controlled.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram 550 illustrating a method for using 500 an automated tennis ball collector system 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for using 500 an automated tennis ball collector system 100 may include one or more components or features of the automated tennis ball collector system 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for using 500 an automated tennis ball collector system 100 may include the steps of: step one 501, placing the automated tennis ball collector system on the ground; step two 502, powering on the automated tennis ball collector system; step three 503, using the remote control for controlling the automated tennis ball collector system; step four 504, collecting the downed balls once gameplay is complete; step five 505, storing the balls in the ball retainer; step six 506, removing the ball retainer to retrieve the collected balls; and step seven 507, storing the automated tennis ball collector system.

It should be noted that step 506 and 507 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using an automated tennis ball collector system are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. An automated tennis ball collector comprising: a chassis; a drive train coupled to the chassis, the drive train including an energy source, a plurality of wheels and at least one motor; wherein the drive train is fixably coupled to inner volume of the chassis in such a way so the energy source, the plurality of wheels, and the at least one motor of the drive train allow the chassis to move freely around the court, a ball collector including a ball receiver, a vacuum, a ball channel, and a ball retainer; wherein the ball collector is mounted to the forward outer surface of the chassis for allowing balls to travel into the ball receiver which activates the vacuum to suck the balls into and through the ball channel to the ball retainer, a device controller including a memory, a processor, a communication network, and a wireless transceiver, and wherein the device controller is used for controlling the automated tennis ball collector by transmitting movement commands to the drive train which drives the automated tennis ball collector into a ball making direct contact with the ball which then activates the ball collector.
 2. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein automated tennis ball collector system is remote-controlled.
 3. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, further includes a LED spotlight coupled to the chassis.
 4. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, further includes a carry handle configured to suspend the automated tennis ball collector by the carry handle
 5. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured with Bluetooth technology.
 6. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 5, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured with Wi-Fi connectability.
 7. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the automated tennis ball collector is configured to operate using a battery pack.
 8. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 7, wherein the battery pack is configured with a lithium ion rechargeable battery.
 9. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 8, wherein the lithium ion rechargeable battery is recharged with a solar panel array coupled to the outer surface of the chassis.
 10. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 6, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive movement commands via a handheld smart phone.
 11. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the chassis is designed with a sensor array which is configured to automatically detect a downed ball for collection.
 12. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 11, wherein the sensor array is configured to automatically instruct the drive train to move in the direction of the downed ball.
 13. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 12, wherein the sensor array is further configured to automatically activate the vacuum when the downed ball is in range of the ball collector to retrieve and transfer the downed ball to the ball retainer.
 14. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least two wheels.
 15. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the ball retainer is configured to be removably coupled to the automated tennis ball collector to allow removal of the ball retainer.
 16. The automated tennis ball collector of claim 1, wherein the automated tennis ball collector includes a recharge station configured to recharge the automated tennis ball collector during lowlight and night conditions.
 17. An automated tennis ball collector system comprising: a chassis; wherein the chassis further includes a carry handle configured to suspend the automated tennis ball collector by the carry handle, and even further includes a LED spotlight coupled to the chassis, a drive train coupled to the chassis, the drive train including an energy source, a plurality of wheels and at least one motor; wherein the chassis is designed with a sensor array which is configured to automatically detect a downed ball for collection, wherein the sensor array is configured to automatically instruct the drive train to move in the direction of the downed ball, and wherein the sensor array is further configured to automatically activate the vacuum when the downed ball is in range of the ball collector to retrieve and transfer the downed ball to the ball retainer, wherein the plurality of wheels includes at least two wheels, wherein the automated tennis ball collector is configured to operate using a battery pack, wherein the battery pack is configured with a lithium ion rechargeable battery, wherein the automated tennis ball collector includes a recharge station configured to recharge the automated tennis ball collector during lowlight and night conditions, and wherein the lithium ion rechargeable battery is recharged with a solar panel array coupled to the outer surface of the chassis, wherein the drive is fixably coupled to inner volume of the chassis in such a way so the energy source, the plurality of wheels, and the at least one motor of the drive train allow the chassis to move freely around the court, a ball collector including a ball receiver, a vacuum, a ball channel, and a ball retainer; wherein the ball collector is mounted to the forward outer surface of the chassis for allowing balls to travel into the ball receiver which activates the vacuum to suck the balls into and through the ball channel to the ball retainer, wherein the ball retainer is configured to be removably coupled to the automated tennis ball collector to allow removal of the ball retainer, wherein the automated tennis ball collector system is remote-controlled, a device controller including a memory, a processor, a communication network, and a wireless transceiver, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured with Wi-Fi connectability, and wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to receive movement commands via a handheld smart phone; wherein the device controller is used for controlling the automated tennis ball collector by transmitting movement commands to the drive train which drives the automated tennis ball collector into a ball making direct contact with the ball which then activates the ball collector.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the system is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of use for an automated tennis ball collector system, the method comprising the steps of: placing the automated tennis ball collector system on the ground, powering on the automated tennis ball collector system, using a remote control for controlling the automated tennis ball collector system, collecting downed balls once gameplay is complete, and storing the balls in a ball retainer.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: removing the ball retainer to retrieve collected said balls, and storing the automated tennis ball collector system. 